In a stunning Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the New York Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 108–105 in overtime at TD Garden on May 5, 2025. This game started just as the Celtics had envisioned—but it ended in a way they never could have imagined. A complete collapse in the biggest moments. But one player didn’t flinch: the Clutch Player of the Year delivered, showcasing his full arsenal down the stretch.
Knicks’ Remarkable Comeback and Recap
Trailing 75–55 midway through the third quarter, the Knicks initiated a 20–9 run to close the gap to 84–75 by the end of the period. They continued their momentum into the fourth quarter, scoring the first eight points and eventually tying the game at 86 (31-11 run) with a steal and dunk by OG Anunoby. Then it was Brunson time. With 4:50 remaining, he went on a personal 8-0 run, turning a 91–89 deficit into a 97–91 lead—capped by back-to-back step-back threes against Horford on the switch. The Celtics, though, had an answer. Tatum, Brown, and White sparked a 7-0 run to reclaim a 98–97 lead with under two minutes remaining. Then, with just five seconds left, Brunson nearly won it on a floater in the lane—but it rimmed out. Overtime was a grind, but Mikal Bridges came up huge, drilling a clutch three and then sealing the game with a clutch steal. How about 51 total minutes for the ironman Bridges?
Key Performances
- OG Anunoby: Scored 29 points, including a pivotal and-one play in overtime that gave the Knicks the lead.
- Jalen Brunson: Also contributed 29 points, hitting crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep the Knicks in contention.
- Mikal Bridges: Despite a challenging shooting night, Bridges made significant defensive plays in overtime, including a decisive steal from Jaylen Brown in the final seconds to secure the victory.
The takeaway here is nothing new the Knicks have statistically the best starting lineup in the league. They are currently averaging almost 24 mins/gm, the highest in the playoffs by almost four minutes. They also average 53.4 points as a group (in the playoffs) which is the highest mark in the league.
Celtics’ Struggles
The Celtics set an NBA playoff record by missing 45 three-point attempts, finishing 15-for-60 from beyond the arc. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 23 points but combined for 5-of-25 shooting from three-point range. Derrick White added 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday, returning from injury, contributed 16 points. Kristaps Porzinģis played only 13 minutes due to illness and did not return after halftime (0-4 shooting on LAYUPS).
Unlike the Magic the Knicks are allowing the Celtics to shoot at the rate they did during the regular season which also limited their rim frequency.
This image tells the story of the second half. No rim attacks and settling for contested off the dribble threes. Another key for Tatum is when guarded by OG—He shot 5-20 in the regular season and that showed last night.
What Worked for the Celtics Early?
Boston came out with a high-intensity defensive game plan, and it rattled the Knicks. Here’s what they executed well:
- Aggressive perimeter defense: Jrue Holiday and Derrick White pressured Brunson, funnelling him into help and limiting his pick-and-roll rhythm early on. The Celtics forced several early shot clock decisions.
- Drop coverage with activity: Even with Kristaps Porziņģis playing limited minutes, Boston managed effective drop coverage with Al Horford, mixing in some switches. Their rotations were sharp, cutting off Brunson’s skip passes and forcing the Knicks into late-clock situations.
- Ball movement and shot volume: Boston’s offense worked early due to crisp ball movement and relentless three-point volume. They opened up the Knicks’ defense by forcing Towns and Hartenstein to cover in space, which led to easy drives or kick-outs.
The Celtics collapsed as soon as the ball movement stopped.
Where It Fell Apart—and How to Adjust
Once the Knicks clawed back in, Boston grew more isolation-heavy and cooled off from three. They went 15-of-60 from beyond the arc overall, including 4-of-25 in the 4th quarter and overtime. That shooting variance gave the Knicks a window—and they took it.
The keys for Game 2: Contain Brunson (in PNR), more ball movement, and limit transition.
Looking Ahead
The Knicks lead the series 1–0. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night at TD Garden.
HoopTalkTV 
Leave a comment